Lisbon’s Rua Nova Do Carvalho: From Red Light District To Pink Street

In 2011, the pedestrian street of Rua Nova do Carvalho in the Cais do Sodré area of Lisbon was painted pink as part of a rehabilitation project to raise its profile from “seedy” to “trendy”. In its former life, the nocturnal haunts of sailors and dockhands were known collectively as a Red Light District in Portugal’s capital. These days the street is much tamer: visited by families with children, lined with heavy doors of tourist accommodation and patio umbrellas at lunchtime. By night the discos and bars come alive again, but I wasn’t out after midnight — hence, no nightlife pictures. Maybe next time, Lisbon, I’ll shed my Old Lady ways and stay out late with my camera.